BSI set to publish revised BS 9991:2024 for residential buildings

The updated guidance, entitled BS 9991:2024 Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Residential Buildings – Code of Practice is due to be published by the UK’s national standards body on 27 November and supersedes BS 9991:2015.

The revisions within were underway ahead of the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel’s Phase 2 final report on 4 September as part of the normal process of updating and revising standards.

While the Grenfell report did not make any specific recommendations for changes to BS 9991, it has of course emphasised once again the clear importance of comprehensive and up-to-date building safety standards.

The revised British Standard provides recommendations and guidance on the provision of measures to control (or otherwise mitigate) the effects of fire and aims to achieve an adequate standard of life safety in the event of fire in a building. The document has also been designed to provide a level of protection for property and businesses against the impact of a fire in close proximity, either in residential buildings or those within the same building or building complex.

Consensus-based ‘mid-point’

As a British Standard, BS 9991:2024 is expected to be suitable for use across the whole of the UK.

What’s more, this latest good practice guidance has been designed to provide a consensus-based ‘mid-point’ between the different regulations and supporting statutory guidance here in the UK. This includes Approved Document B in England and Wales, Technical Handbook 2 for Scotland and Technical Booklet E that serves Northern Ireland).

Revised standards generally include changes made due to new evidence or information relating to a topic. In this case, and to ensure a high standard of fire safety, some of the updates include the expansion of its scope to encompass residential care homes, as well as the expansion of guidance relating to evacuation lifts and revised height limits for sprinkler installation and single-stair buildings.

In addition to improving fire safety, the changes have been made to build trust among key stakeholders, among them building occupants, owners and regulatory bodies.

Reflecting the evidence

Scott Steedman, director-general for standards at the BSI, said: “The Grenfell tragedy, the subsequent Public Inquiry and the Phase 2 final report have brought the issue of building safety into focus for the whole sector and beyond. It’s critical that we ensure all standards reflect the latest evidence.”

Steedman added: “The updated BS 9991 guides the design, installation and maintenance of fire safety systems in residential buildings, ensuring that effective escape routes and fire safety measures are in place to protect occupants and enhance overall safety.”

He concluded: “This new edition has been fully revised, taking into account extensive changes within industry, not to mention the increased focus on robust fire safety measures. The BSI remains extremely grateful to the panel of experts who worked on this and is thankful for their dedication over the last few years.”

FSH/14 Fire Precautions in Buildings is the Technical Committee responsible for BS 9991:2024. It includes technical experts as well as regulators and representatives from the Fire and Rescue Service.

Additional details concerning FSH/14 can be found on the BSI’s Standards Development Portal at https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/committees/50001297

Given the importance of this topic, the public consultation process gave rise to upwards of 1,800 comments, all of which were individually considered and debated.

*For further information on the upcoming BS 9991:2024 visit https://pages.bsigroup.com/l/35972/2024-11-07/3t8c154